Man Utd won’t house the world’s most expensive player for long
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After Gareth Bale held the title of world record signing for three seasons prior to this summer, following fellow Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo’s four-year incumbency, £89m Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba seems unlikely to have the honour for long.
The rumour mill churned up a statement of future intent with suggestions that Los Blancos – currently banned from the transfer market for a year after registration violations – will save up and splurge €100m (which would match Pogba’s fee) on Juventus’ Paulo Dybala in January 2018.
Dybala certainly looked the part in Serie A last season, with the 22-year-old’s 19 strikes only bested by new club-and-country teammate Gonzalo Higuain, but that’s a lot of money for such an inexperienced player.
Ronaldo, Bale and Pogba had all shone at Champions League level – reaching three finals between them – prior to making their mega-money moves, so another prospective record-breaker adorning the gossip columns rings a little truer.
Euro 2016 top scorer and player of the tournament Antoine Griezmann signed a new contract with Atletico Madrid over the summer, but it is thought to contain a €100m ‘termination clause’ should clubs stump up the required cash.
Spanish news site Fichajes believe loaded French monopolists Paris Saint-Germain would shell out that much and more for the 25-year-old Les Bleus star, who bagged decisive Champions League quarter-final and semi-final goals en route to defeat by Real in May’s showpiece, where he missed a penalty.
With 22 La Liga goals struck in each of his two terms at Vicente Calderon and six in six so far this season, Griezmann’s loyalty to Los Colchoneros will continue to be tested as long as he stays in such electric form.
Diego Simeone’s side are 12/1 to avenge two Champions League final defeats – on both occasions to their neighbours – in three seasons by lifting the trophy in Cardiff next May.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
